Record Bradford City scorer Mel Garside bounced back in the best possible way after her penalty miss against Salford cost her side victory in a 1-1 Women’s Northern Combination opening-day draw.

The derby clash with Wakefield, formerly Morley Spurs, was a typically close encounter but Garside – with close to 200 goals for the club – showed all her old sharpness to hit a hat-trick and secure a 3-2 win.

City’s A team enjoyed a successful pre-season campaign but came unstuck with a 5-0 defeat as they opened their Women’s North East Regional League season with a cup tie against Premier Division side Sheffield United.